AP Skill Development Scam: Without court relief, Naidu might be taken to Rajamahendravaram jail

Vijayawada: While the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (APCID) is currently investigating former chief minister and TDP supremo Nara Chandrababu Naidu in the AP Skill Development Scam, the Andhra Pradesh police are on high alert in the state.

In a way to avoid any untoward incidents, the police are taking into custody TDP cadres who have surrounded the ACB court in Vijayawada protesting for their leader’s release. The cadres were shifted to a police station in vehicles. Vijayawada city commissioner Kanthi Rana Tata is at the ACB court checking at the security measures. The police have prepared the convoy to take him to the Rajhamundry central jail.

After an hour break, the court sessions began at 1:30 pm. The judgment in the case is likely to be announced at around 3 pm. Sources said, that in case the judge pronounces remand of Naidu, he will be shifted to Rajhamahendravaram jail.

Sources said the police have prepared the convoy to take him to the Rajhamundry central jail.' after this 'Sources said, that in case the judge pronounces remand of Naidu, he will be shifted to Rajamahendravaram jail.

Designated as Accused No 37 (A37) in the ongoing inquiry, Naidu’s role as the alleged chief architect and conspirator of a complex web of offences is under intense scrutiny. The case at hand involves a web of complex offences, including Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Breach of Trust, Fraudulent Misappropriation, Framing Incorrect Documents, Cheating, Forgery, Using Forged Documents, Abetment, and the Abuse of Position as a Public Servant. These allegations stem from activities that transpired at the office of the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), Tadepalli, Guntur District, during Naidu’s tenure as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.

In this ongoing investigation marked by its intricate nature and scale, it is imperative to safeguard the integrity of evidence and deter any attempts at tampering.

CBN’s cooperation is vital for a comprehensive review of evidence and interviews with witnesses, especially given indications of uncooperative conduct during questioning. Without the accused’s arrest and placement in judicial custody, ensuring his timely presence in court remains uncertain.

Summarising the offences

At its core, this investigation revolves around a scheme that diverted government funds intended for a skill development project into avenues of personal pecuniary gain. Andhra Pradesh government violated established norms by releasing Rs 371 crore without a tendering process. Rs 241 crore was allegedly diverted to various shell companies, through fake invoices, with no actual delivery or sale of the items mentioned in the invoices.

The scam dates back to 2014 when the TDP government in Andhra Pradesh entered into an MoU worth Rs 3,300 Crore with a consortium involving Siemens Industry Software India Ltd and Design Tech Systems Pvt Ltd. The company offered training programs in collaboration with various state governments. Further, a GO was issued stating that Siemens would set up six centers of excellence for skill development worth Rs 3300 Cr.

Remand rejection petition by Luthra

In the remand rejection petition of Naidu, senior advocate Siddharth Luthra said that Naidu was falsely implicated in this case for political gain. He also said the prosecution has to obtain prior sanction of the governor even to initiate an enquiry/investigation in this case as per Section 17-A of PC Act, 1988.

Hence there is a statutory violation and hence the remand has to be rejected limini (a motion before a trial begins) for the aforesaid violation. Luthra also said in the petition that the alleged offences are related to policy decisions taken by the Cabinet and also approved by the Cabinet and as such it is a decision of the government which cannot be questioned by initiating criminal proceedings.

The government of Andhra Pradesh allocated Rs 360 crores in favour of the Department of Skill Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the same was incorporated in the budget for the year 2015-16 the same was voted by the Legislature and hence it is a part and parcel of the approved budget and the said allocation cannot be questioned by initiating criminal proceedings.